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Catherine
was born in Italy in the fifteenth century. Her father, a diplomat,
had a prophetic vision telling him of Catherine’s birth.
As a young girl she was the maid of honor at the wedding of
the daughter of a marquis who requested that Catherine remain
in her service but she preferred a religious life and, at fourteen,
joined the Franciscans. She began to be tormented by mystical
visions which she documented. Some were demonic but others were
sweet, as on one Christmas Eve when the Blessed Virgin appeared
and asked her to watch over baby Jesus. She eventually joined
the Poor Clares and helped to establish a convent in Bologna
where she was appointed it’s Abbess. Because of the multitude
of miracles attributed to her after her death, her body, which
had not been embalmed and was buried without a coffin, was exhumed.
It was found to be incorrupt, exhuding a sweet smell and was
put on display where it can still be viewed at the Poor Clare
convent in Bologna. Because of her skill illustrating manuscripts
she has been adopted by artists as their patron. Catherine is
also the patron of painters; and she's invoked against temptations.
Her feast day is March 9. |
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| St.
Catherine of Bologna
Patron St. of
Art |
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